Diving: Gay diver Matthew Mitcham wins gold!
(Getty Images)
Australia's Matthew Mitcham has done the incredible and captured the
gold from China's Zhou Luxin in the 10m platform diving competition.
Mitcham, trailing Zhou by 30 points going into his final dive, performed an amazing back two-and-a-half somersault with two-and-a-half twists and received four perfect scores from the judges to pull ahead. Nailing this 3.8 degree of difficulty dive Mitcham will also go in the record books for scoring a 112.10, the highest score ever recorded in competition.
"It's absolutely surreal. I never thought that this would be possible,'' Mitcham said.
"I wasn't even sure of my medal chances at all. After I did my last dive and I saw I was in first, I thought, "That's it, it's a silver medal, I am so happy with this' and then I won. I can't believe it, I'm so happy.
Zhou finished second and world champion Gleb Galperin of Russia finished third.
Check out all the photos of Mitcham after the jump!
UPDATE: Click here to see video of all 6 of Matthew's dives, awards ceremony and kissing his mother and boy friend after the ceremony.
Source: Fox Sports Australia
Posted by James Schend on August 23, 2008 in Diving
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Awesome!
Posted by: anthony | August 23, 2008 at 11:04 AM
We love you in Tucson, Arizona USA!! CONGRATS!!! YOU RULE!!!
Posted by: AL | August 23, 2008 at 11:38 AM
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
Posted by: Bob | August 23, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Oh, and BTW, Matthew, it appears that you are INDEED, in more ways than one, the next Greg Louganis. Bravo!!!!
Posted by: Bob | August 23, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Way to go Matthew! Congrats from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA!!!
Posted by: Eddie | August 23, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Congratulations Matthew! from Vancouver BC Canada...We love you here too!
Posted by: Brian LAMBERT | August 23, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Congratulations Matthew! from Vancouver BC Canada...We love you here too!
Posted by: Brian LAMBERT | August 23, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Awesome job Matthew!! Congrats from Fayetteville, Arkansas USA!!! Btw, your cute too!!
Posted by: patrick | August 23, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Fan-DAMN-tastic!! So glad to see the Chinese take secondfor a change!
Much love to you from Raleigh, NC, USA!!
Posted by: Stepehn | August 23, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Congratulations Matthew!! What an awesome accomplishment! From Princeton, NJ USA
Posted by: Luis | August 23, 2008 at 01:36 PM
congratulations Mat ! ,from el salvador
Posted by: aldo fost | August 23, 2008 at 01:48 PM
We love you, Matthew!!! You have made us all so proud!! You're a hero!!
Posted by: wadey | August 23, 2008 at 01:52 PM
GREAT JOB MATTHEW IT BRINGS US TOGETHER FROM EAST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
Posted by: DAVID ESPOSITO | August 23, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Congratulations from Mexico!! wow!! You made an amazing performance in the olimpics, I`m sure that the whole gay community in the world will be proud of you.
And another thing that I`m proud of, is that, this boy has a mexican trainer, guys, you should know this interesting information.
Thanks for making such a beautiful act! Ansd beside, thanks from Mexico. This medal, is lime ours in certain way, too. And of the gay community =D
You`re an amazing guy, so cute, and so young... WOULD YOU MARRY ME??
Posted by: Daniel Herrera | August 23, 2008 at 02:10 PM
It is possible you never read this, but I just wanted to tell you that you are the best, with medal or without it...the gold is inside you!
Orlando
Colombia, Southamerica
orlbog@yahoo.com
Posted by: Orlando Q | August 23, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Absoulutely fabulous show man freaking amazing had me on the edge of my seat the whole time so id like to say thanks from not only an open servicemen but from a fellow homosexual diver all through my school an college years good show man
From South Bend Indiana
Posted by: chad Rice | August 23, 2008 at 02:55 PM
You did yourelf proud and we are all proud of you - You Are #1 !!!
Posted by: Dave | August 23, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Congrats from WVU!!!
Posted by: Justin Barclay | August 23, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Stephen from Raleigh, NC--it seems as though you have a racist problem against the Chinese? Well you're from NC so that's definitely understandable. Better for a Caucasian male to be put on the podium as opposed to those who are placed in the "other" category.
Not to take anything away from Matthew though. Congrats, and you're hot btw :-D.
--Guam guy who resides in Honolulu, HI
Posted by: Brandon (goingdownright21) | August 23, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Oh My Gawd! You Rule Man - Brilliant display of how diving should be done. Perfect last dive! Congratulations from South Wales U.K.
Posted by: jinxsy | August 23, 2008 at 03:16 PM
WOW!! My gaydar iwas right on. I had never heard of this kid b4 the Olympics but the moment i saw him clap his hands at his score after a semi-final dive i thought 2 myself, "sister, sister". Cute as a button too and blondes don't do a thing 4 me. Congrats. BTW if this medal is somehow a lil bit Mexico's then every medal won by an athlete from a foreign country that attends college, trains or both in the USA owes us a small piece(of the medal) as well. And yes i'm gay.
Posted by: cracked-rear-view | August 23, 2008 at 03:23 PM
MATT... all I have to say is AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI !!
Yet another great Australian moment. Remember we only have a population of 20 million and not only do we have an openly gay hottie we are going soooo well in many other sports.
Ive NEVER, EVER, been so PROUD in a sporting moment ( and we aussie have lots of those) than when you won gold Matt, Congrats,
Love Andrew xxoo( Sydney, Australia)
p.s you are soooo going to be Mr popularity back home . Fabulous!!!
Posted by: Andrew Darlink | August 23, 2008 at 03:38 PM
In the pictures, he seems to have a large penis.
Posted by: Gay Observer | August 23, 2008 at 03:44 PM
My best, from México city, a was in front of the tv when I saw you, I think he is gay I like him, and my best friend lives in Austarlia, and I sen him a txt msn, because I know tht you will be a winer.
I'm a Art stylist director and I know that I will be working to gether for a cover magazine, I'm prety sure that this dream come true.
Thanks for be you, fro be gay, for be australian and olimpic champion.
Jorge
Posted by: Jorge Flores | August 23, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Sexy and great character.He is strong humble boy that really deserve it.
I applauded for his medal gold and the good momentum.
Danni from NYC
Posted by: Daniel | August 23, 2008 at 04:03 PM
How exciting. I didn't see the dive as I am traveling but have been wondering all week whether we would hear more about our only out gay Olympian and tonight I log on and he is front page news around the world. Congratulations Matthew - you have made us all so proud and its great to be reading all these comments from around the world.
Posted by: Clive from Sydney (via Buenos Aries) | August 23, 2008 at 04:19 PM
We have a new superstar.
Should be an inspiration for people to be out and proud.
DAve
Posted by: daveeyh | August 23, 2008 at 04:20 PM
What an awesome accomplishment! Matthew really rocked this one!
It is sad that there's only one out gay man competing in these Olympics, but so great that he won the Gold!
Posted by: Daniel S | August 23, 2008 at 04:21 PM
I saw the profile that Gay.com did of him that spoke of how he was bringing his boyfriend with him to the games, and I thought it was awesome!
Glad he won ... his dives were amazing.
Posted by: John | August 23, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Yay Matthew, also glad to see you break the Chinese juggernaught in the diving pool. Like many of your scores, you're a 10. (applause, applause).
Can I say that, Guam guy from Hawai'i? or does that make me racist? You can tell that just by what was typed on the screen? Careful about jumping to conclusions, buddy, you're likely to break your legs.
Posted by: Mr.J | August 23, 2008 at 05:03 PM
Now, here is PROOF that you do not need to be hetero to be good at something. Not only is Matthew a great diver, he is a charming young man and he geed up all the Aussies to sing that national anthem at the medal ceremony, and I was sitting in my loungeroom and was singing it at the top of my lungs.
Posted by: Cameron - A proud GAY AUSSIE | August 23, 2008 at 05:08 PM
I watch Mr. Matthew Mitcham yesterday when he won the gold medal and just found out that he brought his boyfriend to the Olympics with him for the support but me and everyone in the city of Sioux City, IA is supporting him cause he is gay and his on the USA Team CONGRATS TO YOU MATT. Would love some feedback from him personally to my e-mail address @ jamester69@gay.com
Posted by: James Evans | August 23, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Congrats Matt from San Antonio
Posted by: Ron S | August 23, 2008 at 05:09 PM
as a gay american...show them what were made of boy!
you rock!
Posted by: jimmy thomas | August 23, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Incredible performance from a member of our tribe. If his endorsement potential turns out to be less than it should be because he's out and proud - then I hope Gay businesses step in and do the right thing. Reward him, he deserves it...and the gay community needs him to be in the spotlight for a long time.
Posted by: Jeff | August 23, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Very very nice to have seen this on tv. Today at morning to wake up and get happy when some one like u make it possible...Thanks. Best wishes from Cancún.
Posted by: Pepeto | August 23, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Hey Matthew
GOOD JOB THAT IS THE WAY TO SHOW THEM HOW IT IS DONE. YOU ARE ONE HOT GUY AND ON TOP OF YOUR GAME
Posted by: mlh | August 23, 2008 at 05:38 PM
CONGRATS MATTHEW FROM TRACY, CA - USA!!! AWESOME JOB!
Posted by: Jaz | August 23, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Congrads from México City.
The gold you won is somehow for all the GLB community around the world.
Who said that we do not need more heroes?
Bravo!
Posted by: Marco | August 23, 2008 at 05:55 PM
matt your awsome,hope u get home soon, drop us a message we are in perth western australia,your an aswome aussie oh oh oh, love steve and dean
xoxoxox
Posted by: steve and dean | August 23, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Congratulations! Awesome performance! I must say I'm quite happy that my gaydar turned out to be correct (for once). He's so cute!
By the way, he's not the only open player to compete in these Olympics. The captain of the Norwegian Ladies' Handball team Gro Hammerseng is openly gay, and she lives with fellow teammate Katja Nyberg. (Norway won, yay!)
But congratulations again to Matthew Mitcham, truly inspiring, and I hope that others follow in his footsteps.
Posted by: the_tourist | August 23, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Congratulations from Austria to Australia... ;)
Posted by: Manuel | August 23, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Wooooo hooooo!!! you ROCK!! much love from Tucson, Arizona!! you were incredible! ;)
Posted by: NICO | August 23, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Your So Cute Mat, I watched your competition, Great Job!!! and Nice cock Huh :)
Posted by: Duncansheik | August 23, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Congrats!!! u rule...all the Best from Colombia South America, hope this guys at gay.com get this amazing best wishes list to U!!!
Posted by: Ricardo | August 23, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Matthew,
I was cheering for you all the way. We didn't get to see the final round on television due to the time difference. I was so disappointed not being able to actually see you win. I hope to be able to see taped coverage soon. I am so proud of you!
Greg Fiedler, Flint, MI USA
Posted by: Greg Fiedler | August 23, 2008 at 07:13 PM
FELICIDADES IMPRESIONANTE, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO BRAVO-.
HERMOSO SALTO
Posted by: Rick | August 23, 2008 at 07:21 PM
Congratulations...You are an inspiration to all of us ...for me at age 62 to the youngest boy who hopes to compete in the future. I share you celebration, joy and glee I see in your eyes! Job well done!
Posted by: Dale T. Read | August 23, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Wow!
You are the best, that dive was beautiful!
You're very cute by the way!
Posted by: baccoman | August 23, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Congratulations! We're all so proud of you!
Virginia Beach, VA USA
Posted by: Charles | August 23, 2008 at 07:39 PM